Basically, it IS a curve.
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Cosine
The sine curve is exactly the same as the cosine curve shifted pi/2 radians to the left
The angle.
Sound waves are transmitted through a medium as variations in the pressure of the medium. If the variation is plotted as a function of distance (or time), they will generate a sine curve (the cosine curve is the same as a sine curve with a phase shift). In practise, the sine curve is damped: the amplitude (or height) of the oscillations gradually decrease over time or distance, because of attenuation.
One way is to shift it to the left by a quarter of the period.